Sudan: students' struggles continue

The past year has been filled with attacks on the student movement and other protestors and activists in Sudan. In the early hours of December 7, the bodies of four Al Gazeera University students from Darfur were found in a nearby sewage canal, showing signs that they were beaten previous to their death. This came after massive protests  when first year students were denied a tuition waiver that is offered to other students at public universities.
 
According to Human Rights Watch, Sudan's Justice Ministry has launched an investigation into their death, but whether the results of their findings will be transparent and accountable to the people is still to be seen. It has created an awakening of sorts, with a second protest in reaction to their deaths following shortly after the first one.
 
The student movement in Sudan is very much alive. One of the movements is Girifna, which translates as “we are fed up.” The movement, composed mainly of university students, was set up in October 2009. Since then, the authorities have targeted its members. According to Amnesty International, many members of Girifna have been arbitrarily arrested, detained, tortured and sexually assaulted. 
 
The story of the tragic death of the four students should not be a story that we should have to tell again. Global solidarity and awareness is required amidst Western mainstream media silence regarding the students’ struggles against austerity and inequality in many parts of the world.